Analysis of Expected Crash Reduction Benefits and Costs of Truck-Mounted Attenuator Use in Work Zones

Ullman, G L; Iragavarapu, Vichika

doi:10.3141/2458-09

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…Truck-mounted attenuators (TMAs) are designed to improve mobile work zone safety by shadowing the work truck, enhancing work zone visibility, and capturing drivers' attention to facilitate merging into a work-free lane early and safely [6]. TMAs are mobile since they are attached to the rear of a work truck, which provides protection to the work crews and traveling public from the severe consequences of rear-end crashes between motorists and slow-moving or stationary work vehicles [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Countermeasures to Reduce Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA) Crashes: A State-of-the-Art Review

Aroke

Onuchukwu

Esmaeili

2022

Future Transportation

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To support worker and driver safety, this study conducted a comprehensive literature review to identify methods of enhancing TMA visibility, improving work zone configurations, and ensuring worker safety. To increase TMA recognition, this study observed that the use of a 6-to-8-inch wide yellow and black inverted ‘V’ pattern of retroreflective chevron markings, sloped at a 45-degree angle downward in both directions from the upper center of a rear panel is effective in alerting drivers to work zones. This study also recommends applying amber and white warning LEDs, which flash in an asynchronous pattern at a 1 Hz frequency and are mounted against a solid-colored background for a 360-degree view visible at least 1500 feet from the work zone. In addition, a work zone vehicle configuration consisting of a lead, buffer, and advance warning truck with a buffer space between 100 and 150 ft is suggested to reduce the risk of lateral intrusions and TMA roll-ahead. In parallel, workers should wear high-visibility vests noticeable at a minimum distance of 1000 feet and headwear with at least 10 square inches of retroreflective material. Some intelligent transport systems are also suggested to enhance TMA recognition and potentially minimize work zone fatalities. Application of the recommended guidelines will potentially improve current practices and significantly reduce the occurrence of TMA crashes in construction and maintenance work zones.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Countermeasures to Reduce Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA) Crashes: A State-of-the-Art Review

Aroke

Onuchukwu

Esmaeili

2022

Future Transportation

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“…Bligh and Mak point out that crash terminals should be tested for impacts into the most critical points [ 84 ]. Work zones are now protected using trailer-attenuating cushions [ 85 , 86 , 87 ]. Roper et al states that the devices used in Australia, including terminal ends, should be replaced with safer solutions [ 88 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Roadside Hybrid Energy Absorbers Using the Example of SafeEnd

et al. 2022

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A combination of crash cushion and end-terminal, hybrid energy absorbing devices have been in use worldwide for a few years already. They include SafeEnd, a system Poland has recently introduced. Some road authorities have raised concerns as regards the operating conditions of the devices and how they work together with safety barriers. The objective of this research is to clarify the concerns and answer the following questions: (1) Can SafeEnd devices be used as hybrid devices and combine the roles of end-terminal and crash cushion placed before an obstacle? (2) What should be the rules for installing crash cushions at diverging roads and at the start of an off-ramp? The article presents characteristics of SafeEnd devices, defines the doubts raised by road safety auditors, discusses the results of field and numerical tests of the devices and explains the design principles for interchange ramps where crash cushions are required. The study results have helped to answer the research questions: SafeEnd devices fulfil the role of end-terminal and crash cushion, it is possible to make them more visible and principles have been defined for how the devices should be used at road interchanges. Further research should help to define general principles of deploying road restraint systems such as crashworthy terminals, crash cushions or hybrid devices.

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“…The truck-mounted attenuator (TMA) has been adopted to enhance the visibility of work zones to passing vehicles, inform them to change to a work-free lane, and protect workers and equipment in work zones from rear-end crashes (4). TMAs have made positive contributions to safety enhancement, saving about US$23,000 per crash (5). Twenty-three states that adopted TMAs believe that they are very effective (6).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation Study of Passing Drivers’ Responses to the Autonomous Truck-Mounted Attenuator System in Road Maintenance

Wang

Qin

2023

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation R

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The autonomous truck-mounted attenuator (ATMA) system is a lead–follower vehicle system based on autonomous driving and connected vehicle technologies. The lead truck performs maintenance tasks on the road, and the unmanned follower truck alerts passing vehicles about the moving work zone and protects workers and the equipment. While the ATMA has been under testing by transportation maintenance and operations agencies recently, a simulator-based testing capability is a supplement, especially if human subjects are involved. This paper aims to discover how passing drivers perceive, understand, and react to the ATMA system in road maintenance. With the driving simulator developed for this ATMA study, the paper performed a simulation study wherein a screen-based eye tracker collected 16 subjects’ gaze points and pupil diameters. Data analysis evidenced the change in subjects’ visual attention patterns while passing the ATMA. On average, the ATMA starts to attract subjects’ attention from 500 ft behind the follower truck. Most (87.50%) understood the follower truck’s protection purpose, and many (60%) reasoned the association between the two trucks. Nevertheless, nearly half of the participants (43.75%) did not recognize that the ATMA is a connected autonomous vehicle system. While all subjects safely changed lanes and attempted to pass the slow-moving ATMA, their inadequate understanding of the ATMA is a potential risk, for issues such as cutting into the ATMA. The results implied that transportation maintenance and operations agencies should consider this in establishing the deployment guidance.

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Analysis of Expected Crash Reduction Benefits and Costs of Truck-Mounted Attenuator Use in Work Zones

Cited by 9 publications

References 0 publications

Countermeasures to Reduce Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA) Crashes: A State-of-the-Art Review

Countermeasures to Reduce Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA) Crashes: A State-of-the-Art Review

Assessing Roadside Hybrid Energy Absorbers Using the Example of SafeEnd

Simulation Study of Passing Drivers’ Responses to the Autonomous Truck-Mounted Attenuator System in Road Maintenance

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